Cynthia Erivo knows how to do this. Erivo has already dazzled audiences with her powerhouse performances on stage and screen. Still, her turn as Elphaba in Jon M. Chu’s “Wicked” has cemented her place as one of her generation’s most versatile and captivating artists.

The first half of the two-part Wicked saga is already a sensation, and Erivo’s portrayal of the misunderstood green-skinned witch is winning accolades. Yet, as she reveals to Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast, this journey is far more than just a career milestone — it’s personal.

In her approach to Elphaba, Erivo drew on her own experiences. “I know what it feels like to walk into a room where people don’t want you to be there,” Erivo shares on this week’s episode. “I know what it feels like to be bullied, to feel rejected, to feel like you’re not loved.